From the National Soccer Coaches Association of America comes this article Ten Reasons to Not Coach the Player in Possession – Part 1 by Roy Dunshee, Maryland State Technical Coordinator for the NSCAA and President of United Soccer Coaching, LLC.

“To not do something for someone who can and should do it for themselves is an act of love.” – John Wooden

Among the many negative side effects from overbearing coaches is the arrested development of player creativity. Yet it is not just the stereotypical loudmouth who inhibits creativity by attempting to orchestrate play. Nearly all youth coaches (present company included) are guilty in some way of making decisions for our players that they can and should make for themselves. Coaches who dictate play by directing the player in possession ensure that players never get to think for themselves and therefore never develop the skill so elemental to our sport; decision making.

Excellent article that ties into the earlier discussion on the emphasis on winning at an early age and how it inhibits player development. Same issues here – the beauty of soccer is the lack of timeouts and the opportunity as a player to learn to understand the flow of the game and apply lessons learned. If you think the kids are listening, it’s only because you control the decision to who plays, not how well they play. If you want them to learn and become better players, consider your training program and what you are doing to prepare them for games. Then sit back and evaluate how well they applied the lessons YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE for providing.

Join the defending Missouri Valley Conference champion Missouri State Bears on Saturday November 6th when SIU-Edwardsville visits for a 7 p.m. match at Plaster Sports Complex on the Missouri State campus.

Event Flyer – 2010 Launch Our Legacy Game flier

The event aims to set the program’s all-time attendance mark and will partner with the Missouri State Army ROTC program and several other military-related partners as part of its theme of “Pride. Pastime. Patriots.” As an attendance incentive promotion, Verizon is sponsoring free t-shirts featuring the event’s logo for the first 400 fans attending the match. In addition, the Missouri State Army ROTC will be providing a fun zone with: An Army Humvee vehicle, a Rock wall and Football toss and Basketball toss games for youth who arrive early.

This year’s charity outreach partner is the Ozarks Honor Flight, an organization with one goal: to transport our World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. so they can visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices. $1 will be donated to the organization from every ticket sold.

What: Missouri State Bears vs SIU-Edwardsville Cougars
When: Saturday, November 6 at 7:00 pm
Where: Plaster Sports Complex
General Admission: An admission fee of $5 will be collected at the gate on the date of the event. No tickets will be sold; $1 of each admission sold goes to support Ozarks Honor Flight.
Free Admission Will Be Given to the Following Groups:
* MSU students w/ ID
* MSU faculty/staff w/ ID
* Active military & veterans w/ ID
* Youth soccer players wearing their teams’ jerseys
* Ages 18 & Under

High school players (boys and girls) are admitted free if they sign a pass list, which will be available at both the north and south entrances on the west side of Plaster. Their coaches can get in free, too, if they accompany their team.

Clubs and youth players are admitted free wearing team jerseys. Coaches accompanying their teams will be free.

Teams or Clubs can purchase a Sky Box for the event. Your group can also help sponsor a Sky Box for the Honor Flight’s attendees! Please consider sponsoring a box (full or partial sponsorships are welcome!), regardless of whether you can attend the event or not. Information on an Individual Sky Box is attached below.

Sky Box Suites Cost: $350
- 1 Climate controlled skybox for 10 people
- Includes 8 theatre seats (2 additional chairs in suite)
- 20 general admission tickets to game (non-suite tickets)
- 3 large Papa John’s Pizzas (1 sausage, 1 pepperoni, 1 cheese)
- Pepsi products
- Snacks
- 1 autographed soccer ball from the MSU Bears
- Visits from various MSU Administration (including President Cofer)

Sky Box Suites – 2010

Contact Jon Leamy, MSU Soccer Coach for further information at 836-5243 or email at JonLeamy@missouristate.edu

Last years game, which debuted “Launch A Legacy”, saw Missouri State edge Drake 3-2 in overtime before 1,075 attendees, the fourth-largest crowd in Missouri State men’s soccer history. Also featured were a European-style walkout with players from both teams accompanied by area youth soccer participants, a bagpiper, and a balloon launch. The event also collected enough cash and food donations to provide 783 meals to needy individuals throughout southwest Missouri through the Ozarks Food Harvest. Your participation in this year’s event can help honor the Greatest Generation while offering a great team outing. SIU-Edwardsville just played in front of 3500 attendees for the opening MVC game against Bradley. Help us show them what soccer in the Ozark’s is all about!

For more information about “Living Our Legacy” November 6, 2010, visit the following sites:
· Web: http://www.msulegacygame.com
· Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/msulegacygame
· Twitter: @MSULegacyGame